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Whether you’re taking your family on vacation or traveling solo, your next holiday doesn’t have to empty your bank account.
Here are five tips for traveling on a budget.

1) Make a Budget. From transportation and accommodations to meals and entertainment, decide the amount you want to spend and plan your vacation accordingly.

2)Choose Accommodations Wisely. Renting from a short-term housing provider adds value to your vacation in more ways than one. By offering you a fully equipped kitchen to prepare some meals as well as having access to on-site fitness centers and swimming pools, you’ll enjoy value-added entertainment without spending extra money.

3)Be Adventurous. Considering destinations that are a little off-the-beaten-path will help you maximize your budget as these locations are often looking to attract more tourists. For instance, traveling to smaller towns close to metropolitan cities, give you the opportunity to explore lesser-known areas while still enjoying tourist hot spots.

4)Make A Deal. Contact the travel and tourism board in the city you’re traveling to. This is a great resource for scoring deals on everything from theatre and sports tickets to finding out about the latest restaurant openings and family-friendly dining spots.

5)Go Local. Be on the look out for music festivals, street parties and carnivals that are often held during the summer months. These events are often free to the public and offer a variety of entertainment for all ages. Check the municipality’s online calendar before you travel to find out more about events wherever you’re heading.

Inevitably you can’t plan for every situation when you’re traveling the open road. That said, plan for those extra expenses by keeping a few dollars stashed in a safety fund. You’ll be happy you did when you find for those last minute concert tickets you just can’t pass up.

These days we all want to be more eco-conscious in how we live, work and play. But making environmentally friendly choices isn’t always as easy as we’d like; especially when you’re traveling. Whether you’re packing your bags for a weekend road trip or a month long getaway, here are five practical solutions for minimizing your carbon foot print wherever your travels take you.

ONE: Free Refills
While there’s nothing like bottled water to keep you well hydrated, we all could do without adding another plastic bottle to the landfills. Packing a refillable water bottle in your carry-on bag is not only an easy eco-friendly fix but it’s also a cost-friendly one too. By filling up at public water fountains in airports or at tourist attractions, you can be sure you’re doing something good for you and the environment.

TWO: In the Shower
Keeping simple practices that you have at home, like turning the tap off when you brush your teeth and sticking to a shorter shower, goes a long way. Before anyone in your family takes a shower, make sure everyone is aware of where to hang their towels and face clothes to minimize the need for daily laundering. This helps keep local water costs in check. And when you’re packing hair and body products, make sure that you’re opting for biodegradable ones which minimize the impact on the local environment.

THREE: Choose Local
When you’re making dinner reservations, choose restaurants that serve local fare. With the movement towards local and organic cuisine, an increased number of restaurants are advertising partnerships with local farmers and food providers as a means of attracting eco-conscious travelers. Local ethnic and farmers’ markets are also terrific places to purchase foods that are prepared close to home, but also offer a taste of the local culture.

FOUR: Curtain Call
Using your window coverings to regulate temperatures in your suite does the environment good at any time of the year. By keeping the windows covered during mid-day will help keep your space cool, especially when you’re not in your short term rental. Before you flick the air conditioning switch in the evening, open the windows to increase the natural air flow.

FIVE: Use Your Power
Instead of driving your vehicle or renting one at your destination, consider renting a bicycle or take walking tours as a way to experience your surroundings as a local resident.For business travelers commuting to and from work, making use of public transit systems is an eco-friendly way to get around without the added hassle of looking for parking.

In every organization, the Human Resource department is responsible for arranging the relocation of their staff worldwide.

Whether you’re relocating employees who require long-term accommodation for their whole family or individuals who need more frequent short-term accommodations, DelSuites has been a trusted corporate housing provider in the Greater Toronto Area.

Together, our experienced corporate housing specialists will work with you to ensure your employees obtain the best furnished housing solution suited to their lifestyle.

Talk to our team members on how DelSuites can enhance your teams’ business travel experience by dropping by booth 513 at the HRPA 2014 Annual Conference and Trade Show taking place from Jan 22-24th, 2014 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre; and you’ll also have a chance to score incredible giveaways.

Let’s face it, if you’re in town on business and all of your meetings are in downtown Toronto, but you prefer the relaxed atmosphere of a residential neighbourhood, it can be tough to decide where to stay.

Whether your short term stay in Toronto will be for several weeks, or several months, DelSuites offers plenty of options in the heart of the city’s midtown. The 25-story high rise condominium, Republic, is accessible to Toronto’s downtown business district as it is to the outlying suburbs.

Walking distance to Toronto’s Yonge Street subway line, a north and south bound transit service, Republic’s accessible location means that you’re never far from any area of the city. In fact, staying in mid-town would be the elective choice for many since it offers the conveniences of city living including a thriving nightlife and plenty of fine and casual dining options, while situated on a serene, tree-lined residential street.

From the fully-stocked kitchen to the finely appointed bedroom suites to the spacious living areas, Republic offers you the comforts that you would expect at home. That being said, you’ll enjoy the convenient perks of these Toronto Furnished Apartments which include regular housekeeping services, 24-hour lobby security and indoor parking. In addition, each suite is fully equipped with the business guest in mind, including a work desk, free wireless Internet and local calling as well as Skype access for a small monthly fee.

Beyond this property’s incredible upscale suite features, guests will find the building’s onsite fitness and health studio makes keeping your healthy lifestyle in check a breeze. For guests who favour outdoor fitness activities Republic is close to the city’s parks along with walking and cycling pathways. And with the relaxing water therapy spa, sauna and steam rooms, you don’t have to be a star athlete or fitness fanatic to enjoy the benefits of a stress relief after a long day.

With a convenient location, plus all of these swanky features and more, checking in to Republic is your choice when you want the comfort that comes from meeting in the middle.

With the holiday season now in high gear, the mad retail rush has taken hold. And no matter what you’re celebrating, you’ve likely already got your list written, it’s just a matter of knowing where to begin. When you’re staying in an unfamiliar city, navigating the best shopping spots can be a challenge, let alone finding those truly thoughtful gifts for family and friends. Here are four shopping hot spots that not only offer a host of unexpected gifts, but you’ll also discover they provide a pleasant shopping experience too. As an added bonus, each shopping spot is easily accessible to our Qwest short term rental location.

The Drake General Store. With a carefully curated collection, the Drake General features an eclectic mix of lifestyle gifts including clothing, food and home décor. When you want to give an off-beat gift, you’ll find something for just about anyone on your list from cozy pajamas for your nieces and nephews to comfy, handmade pillows for your best friend. With gift packs available at nearly every price point, it’s also a great place to find a little something for colleagues or clients.

The Art Gallery of Ontario. While you may have caught the David Bowie exhibit this past fall, you might not consider the Art Gallery of Ontario as a shopping destination; yet it is. From adult art enthusiasts to creative children, the AGO’s gift shop is packed with inspiring gift ideas. Whether you’re looking for contemporary art pieces for your spouse or art supplies for a pint-sized Picasso, be sure to put the AGO on your hot spot, shopping list.

Kensington Market.From vintage finds to one-of-a-kinds, Toronto’s Kensington Market includes a collective of local retailers, many of whom have been in business for generations. Here you’ll find you can please your fashion-minded daughter with a few vintage accessories, along with that deliciously perfect item for the foodie on your list. And don’t forget to check out the Festival of Lights, an annual event held on December 21st celebrating the ethnically diverse Market culture.

Hudson’s Bay Company. Your holiday shopping is not complete until you’ve shopped at the Bay’s Queen Street location. Here you’ll find detailed, animated window displays that inspire the spirit of the season. While the number of high-quality brands are endless, the current Olympic collection will please the sport enthusiast on your list. The Hudson’s Bay Company Collection, offers a selection of toys, blankets and clothing that provides a touch of pure Canadian heritage; making it all the more inviting to cozy up during a cold winter’s night.